Expansion Draft Not A Big Worry

June 23, 1999|By MICHAEL RUSSO Staff Writer

Because of a large number of exempt first- and second-year pros, the Panthers didn't have many hard choices when deciding which players they would make available for the Atlanta Thrashers in Friday's expansion draft in Boston.

The Panthers' biggest decisions were in choosing among prospect forwards Ryan Johnson and Herbert Vasiljevs and prospect defensemen Filip Kuba and Jeff Ware. They will protect Johnson and Kuba.

The Thrashers have shown interest in Muller but would rather trade for him because the Panthers would pay part of his salary. It's doubtful they would select Ciccarelli, Carkner or Murphy because of their age and hefty salaries.

Last year Nashville chose low-priced minor-leaguer Chris Armstrong from the Panthers just to save money. The Panthers have left minor-leaguers Chad Cabana, Brian Farrell, Craig Ferguson, Konstantin Shafranov and Aaron MacDonald exposed.

The Panthers are in the market for two goaltenders, so it's likely they will try to make a deal with the Thrashers after the expansion draft. As Nashville did last year, the Thrashers are expected to select five goaltenders and deal three or four.